Steam washing-machine



W. PRICE.

STEAM WASHING MACHINE.

(No Model.)

N. PETERS. Fhcle'ulhogmbhnr. wishingmn. lit,

ing, which is 5 journal-joints.

UNITED I STATES- PATENT OFFICE- WILLIAM PRICE, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

STEAM WASHING-MACHINEI SPECIPICATIONIorming part of Letters Patent No. 350,500, dated October 12, 1886.

' Application filed October 8,1885.

5 Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam Washing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is intended for use in general laundries,where large quantities of clothes are IO\ washed by the aid of steam. I

The various features of my invention and their uses, either separately or together, will be apparent from the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming [5 part of this specification, Figure 1, Sheet 1,- is

a front elevation of my machine. Fig. 2, Sheet 1, is a vertical section taken at the line y 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3, Sheet 2, is a horizontal section taken at the line :0 a; of Fig. 2. Fig. 4,

Sheet 2, is an end view of the inner cylinder.

Fig. 5, Sheet, 2, is a plan view of one of the covers of the inner cylinder and the adjacent portion of this cylinder, illustrating the preferred mode of attachment of the cover' to said 2 inner cylinder.

The external cylinder, A, has its lower half preferably made of metal and the upper half of wood. This cylinder is mounted on a suitable base.

0 A preferred form of base of my invention is shown and indicated by letter A. The wastepipe B leads off from .the bottom of the cylinder A, as shown in Fig. 2. The upper part of the cylinder A is provided with a large openclosed over by a lid, 0, of any desired shape, but preferably constructed as shown.

Within the outer cylinder, A, is an inner cylinder, D. The ends D of the cylinder D 40 are provided at their centers with journals d d",

which extend through the ends of the cylinder A,at or about the centers of said ends, and rest on bearings a, cast with or otherwise secured to the cylinder A. Caps a complete these The cylinderD is east or otherwise formed of suitable material, preferably of metal, and is preferably formed in two symmettrical halves which are bolted or riveted together. The bolt or rivet holes are shown as d in Fig. 3. A diaphragm, E, is present in the cylinder D and divides the space within this Serial No. 179,326. (No model.)

cylinder into substantially two halves. In connection with this diaphragm, preferably at the axial center of the latter, is located a pipe,

E*, for the conveyance of steam and water into I said cylinder D. The whole diaphragm and pipe are preferably made of cast metal and cast in one piece. The diaphragm is perforated by numerous holes 6. The steam and water inlet pipe is perforated with openings e,which conduct the steam and water into the said cylinder and on both sides of the diaphragm.

The diaphragm E may be secured in place or riveted thereto by the rivets or bolts by which the two halves of the cylinder are held together, or it may rest in a recess formed by rabbets t in the edges of the two halves of the cylinder, as shown.

Access to each half of the divided cylinder D ishad through the openings respectively covered by the respective caps .F. The 'caps F are alike in construction, and. the description of one applies to the other. The under surface of cap F is preferably shaped to conform to the curve of the cylinder. On its upper surface it is provided with a flange, f, which extends entirely around it, and rests on the edge of the flange d projecting outwardly from cylinder D around the sides of the opening in the cylinder.

A preferred means of holding the cap in place is as follows: Lugs d project outwardly from the cylinder D and extend beyond the cap F. Each lug d is provided with a tooth or projection, d Two cross-plates, G, are pivoted to the cover or cap F by pivot G, and are preferably raised some distance beyond the general surface of the cap or cover. The set-screws G are screwed through the plates G, and when tightened jam against the top of the cap F. Each cap F has an opening, F, communicating with the cylinder D, and this opening is governed by the cock F To put the cap F in position the cross-plates G are turned obliquely to the length of the cap. This gives room enough for the cap to he slipped under the teeth d and letdown in position. hen the cap is seated,the cross-pieces G are turned under the teeth or projections d and the whole clamped tight by the hand-screws G The journal d-the righthand one. as shown in the drawingsis to be providedwith a suitable device for operating the central cylinder. The journal d is bored out lengthwise and the pipe H passes through it, and is screwed onto or otherwise connected with the steam and water inlet pipe E The mode of operation is as follows: The door or lid of cylinder A is lifted and the cylinder D is rotated so that one of the openings into it is opposite the door of the cylinder A. The cap F is removed for the purpose of ascertaining when sufficient water has entered the cylinder. The water is now introduced into cylinder D through feed-conduit H and the further supply of water out off. Clothes to be washed are now introduced through the door of cylinder A and the adjacent opening of cylinderD into the latter cylinder,'and the cap F of said opening is then tightly closed. The cylinder D is then rotated a half-revolution and the cap F of the other opening in said cylinder D is removed, and clothes to be washed are introduced through said opening into cylinder D. Soap is introduced in like manner into either or both of the compartments of cylinder D, the capsF being tightly closed, and steam is then introduced into the cylinder D. At I is placed a swivel-joint by which the pipe H is united to the pipe K. This joint I permits the pipe H to rotate without destroying the integrity of the joint. The pipes L and M,

which by their junction form the pipe K, are

for the admission of water and steam, respectively. The valves 1 and m control the openings in these pipes. At the same time the cylinder D is subjected to apartial rotation. This rotation is preferably a half or little more than ahalf revolution. This operation is continued. Between each partial rotation, and when the diaphragm E is in a horizontal position, the cylinder may remain at rest for a short period, or be then moved slowly on its axis. Each time the cylinder makes a half-rotation the bulk of the water in the cylinder is carried up to the top and then drains through the perforations e in the diaphragm down into that compartment of the cylinder D which is then below. This partial rotation (or oscillation) of the cylinder, or each second partial rotation, is returned in a direction the reverse of that in which it moved on the first partial rotation, is continued for several minutes, at the close of which time the dirt will be loose from the fibers of the clothes and ready to be removed with the first water. The valves or cocks F are now opened and a portion of the water in the cylinder, along with the dirt, is discharged at each movement of the cylinder. The steam in cylinder D also aids in forcing the first water out of cylinder D through said valves, and at the same time steams and whitens the clothes. At this point in the process of washing, the cooks F may be closed and the supply he out off and a supply of fresh water he introduced into the cylinder D, the partial rotation of the cylinder D being continued. Steam is now turned on and heats the fresh water to the boilingpoint, and continues boiling the water, and the clothes are thereby subjected to a thorough steaming and boiling. The second water is now drawn off by opening cocks F", and when drawn off the cooks are closed and the steam supply is cut off. Fresh water is now introduced into the cylinder D, and the cylinder D continuing to partially rotate. the clothes are thoroughly rinsed and cooled and are then in condition to be removed from the washing-machine. The clothes are now removed from the cylinder in a manner similar to that whereby they wereintroduced therein.

When preferred,the process can be easily performed in one operation by allowing steam and water to together enter the cylinder D and gradually escape through the cooks F the latter being opened more or less, as desired, and before the close of the operation the steamsupply should be cut off, and the cold water still entering will thoroughly rinse and cool the clothes. During this last-named process the cylinder D will be subjected to a partial rotation or oscillation, as aforementioned.

In this machine the clothes are not subjected to any heating process, but the dirt is removed by action. In this way the machine, while thoroughlyeftective,does not injure theclothes. Indeed, the most delicate fabrics may be safely washed in this machine. Another advantage isits economical use of steam, water, and soap.

In order to prevent undue pressure of steam, a suitable outlet or outlets therefor may be provided. For example, a valve may be constructed and applied to automatically allow the steam of undue pressure to escape, or orifices or openings may be provided for the escape of steam. One description of such openings is shown in Figs. 2 and 4 as present in the end of cylinder D, and is indicated by letter V.

While the various features of my invention are preferably employed and used together, one or more of said features may be used without the remainder, and,in so far as applicable, may be used or employed in connection with washing-machines other than the one specifically herein set forth and described.

WhatI claim as new and of myinvention,and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. The combination of the cylinder D and perforated diaphragm E, provided with petforated steam and water inlet conduit, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. The combination of the cylinder D and the perforated diaphragm E, and the centrally-located conduit E formed integral with diaphragm E, perforated on both sides, substantially as andfor the purposes set forth.

3. The cylinder D, madein two parts or portions, having flanges S, and the perforated diaphragm E, secured between the said parts or portions, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

6. The combination of shell A, having door and journal-bearings a a a a, and cylinder D, having perforated diaphragm, and conduit E,

and doors and journals d and d", the latter being perforated, and swivel-joint I, pipe K, branch pipes L and M, and cocks at and e, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. The combination of the cylinder D, having perforated diaphragm, doors, and Valves, shell A, provided with door 0, and hollovc base A, and wasteway B, located within thehollow base, substantially'as and for the purposes 0 specified. v

' WILLIAM PRICE.

Witnesses:

A. E. HIGBEE,

J NO. W. STREHLI. 

